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The division was originally an armoured brigade known as the 100 Independent Armoured Brigade Group. In 1964, it was decided to use the headquarters and other assets of this formation to create a new armoured division.[1] It was still in the process of raising when the 1965 war against India broke out.

The formation would see its first taste of action in Operation Grand Slam in Chamb sector where it was the armoured contingent. However the general weakness of Pakistan Army defence around Sialkot and the fact that war was expected to break out over the international border, meant that the division would see only a few days of fighting before it was sent to Sialkot, where it would earn its spurs at a village called Chawinda.[2] On 8 September the Indian attack came and thus began the Battle of Chawinda. Initially the division was surprised and outflanked by the Indians as the enemy chose an unexpected axis to attack,[1] desperate holding actions by some individual units, famously 25th Cavalry, would hault the advance outside Chawinda. A counterattack against the Indians at Phillarah would be badly mauled[3] resulting in the loss of 22 tanks. The division then settled in defensive positions around Chawinda, and it and other divisions than withstood multiple corps sized attacks by the Indian I Corps,[4] until the biggest on the 18th of September when the Indian 1st Armoured and 6th Mountain divisions attacked, and would be destroyed. The Indians than went on the defensive as the 6th and its sister formations steadily and remorselessly forced them back across the international border; a task which was mostly (though not completely)[4] completed by the ceasefire on 23 September.

The divisions' action at Chawinda remains its most famous action. This battle was the largest tank battle since Kursk in 1943 and has been forver associated with the 6th. Amongst the many commendations received was one by the President which read:

The President of Pakistan has commanded that his personal congratulations be conveyed to All Ranks under your command for the exemplary, successful and courageous battle that they have fought. The President and the whole Nation are proud of these untarnishable deeds of valour.[3]

The division would lose over 200 killed and over a thousand wounded during the battle of Chawinda.[3]